Came out to members of a Facebook group

[Guest Motormouth18]

I know that it's online and not IRL, but I consider it an achievement just the same.

I'm a part of a group that allows people to get other people's opinions on things happening in society today (somewhat of a civilized political discussion). A lady posted about another group that's just for girls only, and she suggested that the guys do the same thing where they could talk about sports, hunting, and girls (well liking 2 out of 3 isn't bad). I first said that I was gonna join, but since I can't talk about sports and hunting, I'll pass. Then I got up the courage to explain to them the "other" reason. They were all understanding and polite, and had several questions. I had to point out several times thar I am not a lesbian, and sexuality has nothing to do with gender identity. They couldn't comprehend how I could be a FtM and still be attracted to men. I'd love to know why people automatically assume that? Other than that it went well. One person said that she knew a FtM in real life who had fully transitioned and was now happpier than ever!

[Guest Samantha Yokusa]

That's great! C: Any time you can come out to people and be accepted, it should definitely be an accomplishment. With regards to them 'identifying' you as a 'lesbian', it tends to be our society to not understand exactly what gender identity and sexual preference is. They mix the two together but never clearly realize that they are two way different things that don't relate to eachother. But, you can't really blame them, a lack of education on the subject in most schools doesn't really help much.

-Sammy ~xo~

[tracy_j]

That's good!

I understand what you mean about the difference between sexual preference and gender. I come across it all the time but luckily at home it has sunk in and at work my workfriends recognise the difference (maybe it's because I love chatting up women lol). I still have issues with friends but in time I think understanding will come.

Tracy x

[Guest Kalie Aowynn]

Yea moto I have had some problems along that line myself. They assume I am just a gay guy who wants to be with men and nothing could farther from the truth. By the way what was the the name of this group?

Kalie

[Guest Motormouth18]

Kalie, the name of this group is "The Lunchroom".

[Miss_Y]

Well more than just an ignorance and lack of education regarding the difference between gender and sexuality, but also a bias about either.

And by bias I'm not referring to intolerance towards non-heteronormativity at large, that's a part of it in some instances, but more importantly the broad and generally unrecognized bias' about gender and sexuality. The use of the terms 'Heterosexual' and 'Homosexual' is just one example of the bias that sexuality is based largely on gender, though you would think that acknowledgement of the reality of homosexuality would queue people into the fact that this is not the case. We live in what is a subjectively heteronormative culture, people without realizing it assume a heteronormative bias, not with any sort of prejudice, but with a presumption that it is simply so. The gendered nature of child rearing is another example of this silent bias, as soon as the form of the offsrpings genitilia is announced by the doctor in the matter of "it's a boy/girl!" adults immediately begin enforcing, albeit unknowingly, their bias' about the gender of the offsrping based in it's sex characteristics, going so far as to apply gendered colours, pink and blue, to ensure that no mistake can be made.